Oxygenation of steroids by rhizoctonia and sclerotium



United States Patent OXYGENATION 0F STEROIDS BY RHIZOCTONIA AND SCLEROTIUM George Greenspan, New Brunswick, and Carl P. Schatfner, gSomenville, N.J., assignors to 'Rutgers Research and Educational .I-iounda'tipn, New Brunswick, :NJ., :a

This invention relates to a method for introducing an oxygen function into steroid compounds by means "of selective cultures of microorganisms. More particularly, our invention relates to a fermentation process wherein fermentation and oxygenation of steroids may be accomplished by means of certain fungi of the order Mycelia- Sterilia.

We have found that various species of several genera representative of Mycelia-Sterilia upbn Contact .with a steroid substrate under a particular ,set of conditions, hereinafter described, result in the introduction of an oxygen function at .C=-;l, 6-2 and "0-111 ('by oxygen function we usually mean hydroxyl group; .except only that .in certain .;instances, .we have .found that .a C-11 methylene group istransformed into a C+11 'keto :group Although our studies indicate that the-predominant prodnets of fermentationcontain one more oxygen function per molecule than .the starting material, paper chromatpgraphic evidence shows the presence of more polar materials, such as .dihydroxylated compounds. Thus, we have found that Reichsteins Compound S (4-pregnene-l7a,21-diol-3,20-dione) may be transformed into one of five products depending upon the species of microorganism used, the media employed and reaction conditions. We have obtained from the fermentation of Compound ,S: cortisone, .hydrocortisone, the ll-epimer of hydrocortisone, l-hydroxy Compound S and 'Z-hydroxy Compound S :in varying combinations and concentrations.

It is thus an object of this invention 'to provide a process for introducing a hydroxyl or keto group into an ll-desoxy steroid or introducing a hydroxyl group into the 1-position of a l-desoxy steroid or introducing a hydroxyl groupinto the 2-position of a2-desoxy steroid. It is a further object of this invention to provide for controlling the reaction so as to obtain a predominance of one of the oxygenated products over the other or others. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a process for separating mixtures of the oxygenated products so that same may be used for the purposes intended, such as therapeutics or chemical intermediates.

We have found that representatives "of various genera of the order Mycelia-Sterilia' are able *to elfect one or more of the above transformations, in particular," species of the genus Rhizoctonia and of the genus Sclerotium. We have also found that certain species of the genus Rhacodium carry out the said transformations. It thus appears that the property of oxygenating at C-1, C-2 or C-1 1, dependent ,upon conditions, is a property of the organisms of the order Mycelia-Sterilia as a whole. It is to be noted that heretofore there has been no publication on the microbiological hydroxylation of steroids at the 1- or 2-positions. Thus our process is novelxin providing a means of synthesizing these useful intermediates.

Patented Jan. 17, 1961 The value of an ll-oxygenated compound is now wellknown in .the art. Many papers have been published and. scores of -patents been granted on methods for introducing an-oxygen group in the form of a hydroxyl into the Oring of steroids. In general, all these methods were aiming ultimately at asynthesis of cortisone and hydrocortisone and other very valuable cortical hormones containing such an oxygen function. At present, l l-oxy- 'genation is of value in the preparation of the valuable steroids prednisone and prednisolone as well as their es- :ters and 9a-halo derivatives. In addition, ll-oxygenated derivatives in the androstane, androstene and androstadione series may be prepared accordingly.

These aforementioned substances are of value as anabolic agents. 'The 1- and 2-hydroxyl-A pregnenes having a 3-keto group and a dihydroxy acetone side chain are of value as therapeutic agents per se or as intermediates in the preparation of prednisone and prednisolone .(according to US. Patent 2,737,518 and co-pending application, Serial No. 481,271, filed January 11, 1955). .Other 1- and 2-'hydroxy steroids are of value as therapentic :agents or intermediates for the preparation of pharmacologically active substances. For example, 1- or 2-hydroxy-3,1:1,l7-triketo-4-androstene may be con verted by :dehydration with acid to the corresponding l,4-.androstadien'e, a valuable anabolic agent. Similarly, the ,1- or 2-hydroxy derivatives of progesterone are con- ;vertible by [dehydration with mild acid to the progesterone diene having progestational properties. It is thus apparent that the products produced by'our process are novel .and :may be utilized 'in further transformations wellknown to the chemist in order -to prepare valuable steroid medicaments.

Our oxygenation processes are not necessarily restricted :to any particular group of steroids, except it is obvious thatthe steroid substrate should, at least on one of the '1-, 2- .or I i-positions, contain no substituent other than hydrogen, said position then being oxidizable to hydroxyl or sometimes, in the case of ll-position, to keto. Since most of the steroids having therapeutic properties possess at least a 3-keto-A -system, we prefer that our starting material contain at least such a grouping. .However, such restriction is not necessary, for such a grouping may be introduced by chemical or microbiological methods well-known in the art. Our processes are not limited to members of the androstane or pregnane series, but are applicable to norandrostanes, norpregnanes, homopregnanes, bis-norcholanes and the like as well. Various unsaturations may exist in the steroid substrate, said unsaturations appearing similarly in the oxygenated product. Since our processes apparently oxygenate a steroid without effecting change in the carbon skeleton, the product produced differs from the substrate merely in the possession of one or more hydroxyl groups (or keto, as is sometime the case at C-ll), without any change in the carbon skeleton, such as opening of the Daring or splitting of a side chain. As stated, our oxygenation processes are most applicable to 3-keto-A steroid compounds which preferably have some 18 to 21- carbon atoms in the carbon skeleton. The starting materials for the reaction of this invention include such substancesa's cortisone, hydrocortisone, corticosterone, Compounds S, A' dehydro Compound S, nortestosterone, 9afluorohydrocortisone, 16-dehydroprogesterone, testosterone, 4 Compound S, desoxycorticosterone, etc., and the 9tx-hal'o derivatives and esters of the more common steroids.

All of the foregoing substances including analogs having similar carbon skeleton are amenable to oxygenation with Mycelia-Sterilia fungi, especially Rhizoctonia.

and Sclerotium in accordance with examples described MEDIUM I later. Corn steep liquor m1 6 The microorganic biochemical oxygenation is carried Am ni m y r g p ph "a" 3 out with the aid of the oxygenating fungus or the oxy- Calcium carbonate --g-- 2% genating enzymes obtainable therefrom. Organisms of 6 y been Oil --8-- the genera Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium have been known Yeast extract --g-- 2% for some time and are described in detail in various com- Dextrose g- 10 pendia on the subject such as Bessey, Morphology and 7 Water, q.s. to 1 liter. Taxonomy of Fungi (1950), Blakiston Company, Phila- MEDIUM H delphia. Species of this genera are readily available in 10 Sodium nitrate g 2 PllbllC culture collections, such as the American Type Potassium hos hate (tribasic) 1 Culture Collection (A.T.C.C.) in Washington; the Ceni esiump f tab drat .traal Bureau vor Schimmelkultures (C.B.S.), Baarn,,Hol-

Y gn e "g" land- Northern Regional Research Laboratories east Fxtract -1co) 1 Potassium chloride g 0.5 (N.R.R.L), Peoria, 111.; Quartermaster Corp (Q-M.), t5 Dextrose 1 Natick, Mass; Commonwealth Mycological Institute w ater l1ter l (C.M.I.), Kew, Surrey, England. Various species of H adhsted to 50 Rhizoctonia which have been used in our transformations p J are sp. N.R.R.L. 2573; solani A.T.C.C. 10186, 10154, MEDWM 111 10157, 10184, 10187; zeae C.B.S.; sp. n. Triticum vu l Malt extract 2-: garis C.B.S (also A.T.C.C. 13245T); papayae C.B.S.; Peptone g 1 ferrugemz C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C. 13246T); gossypii var. f' t aegyptica C.B.S.; mucoroides C.B.S.; solani from B. cauli- Dtstlned water 1 flora C.B.S. (also A."I.C.C. 1324 8T); lamellifera C.l\/ I.I. MEDIUM Iv 56701. Various species and stralns of Sclerotrum which Edamin (sh fl'i ld) 20 have been used are rolfsu A.T.C.C. 12450; Oryzae, var. Com Steep quot o 3 irregularis C.B.S.; sp. Q.M. 93A. In addition to the V Dextrose Z 50 foregoing and others, Rhacodium, exemplified by Rhaco- Tap water, to 1 li u drum sellare C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C. 13243T), has been H dj d 43 t 4,5, employed. The foregoing list describes various species and strains which are obtainable from the aforementioned Many other types of nutrient media can b5 P p public culture collections; .It is apparent, however, that cording to methods n in th art- 7 the mycologistcan isolate other organisms of the order I In general, the fungus is grown inthe nutrient medi m and of the genera described from soil and other sources for periods ranging from 3 to 10 days depending hPOI1 accordingto technics well-known in the art. the particular p generally in flasks on a rotary In carrying out the oxygenation process of the presen Shaken After the gfhwth Period the mycelhl'm is 6014 invention, a fungus preferably of the genus Rhizoctonia "i tected and homogenized with transfers being made por of Sclerotium such as Rhizoctonia ferrugena or Sclerottcahy- The fermentation flasks contain the Same medium tium oryzae var. irregularis is cultivated in a suitable 40 that used to culture the organism Growth is P u i di and allowed to act upon a steroid mitted to continue in the fermentation flasks for a period strate, said steroid substrate being one of those described of 2 to 4 days after which time a Steroid substrate is above. During the growth of the organism under favoradded The fungi, especially the Rhizoctohia, grow'at able conditions, the oxygen group or groups is introduced a temperatures between 20 and ahd it is P into the or or ILPOSitiOl-ls, or combinations thereof ble to effect the oxidation process within these ranges, we The exact mechanism of this oxidation is unknown; how- Prefer however" to ethPloY temperature ahges between ever, it seems apparent that it is a result of enzymes and Durthg the fermentation Process Produced by the growing organism t1on may be -provided by forcing sterile air through A suitable nutrient medium contains a soluble source the F in the case of shake flasks Suffictent of carbon, nitrogen and mineral elements which provide 3 obtttmed from the air above'tthe Surface of the carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and nitrogenous buildf medlum' t necessary antttoamtng agents Such ing blocks for the organisms growth. Sources of carbon as slhcfmes gltfcende oils and the like may be added as carbohydrates include glucose (dextrose), cerelos'e, from mm tune starches, sucrose, as well as various natural products The sterold although Preferably added as a Solution containing carbohydrates such as corn steep liquor, soya m ethariol or methanol. i other water'miscible bean meal, soya bean oil and many other substances ventsywrll generally preclprtate from the solution upon which have been used heretofore in fermentation procferment-anon medmm' Upon Precipi' esses. Usually a variety of carbon sources are used in tauon i Is throughout the medium as a fine amedium with good results I suspension and it is thus readily available to the or- Suitable sources of nitrogen include some of the abovegamsm for oxldatlon: The concentraupn of steroid -t named carbon sources such as corn steep liquor, soya to the.fermematmn. may be as hlgh as Per bean meal, lactalbumin, asparagine, sodium nitrate, and hterfibut 1S genefany m the order of to gram other substances such as beef extract, casein, yeast expg of l I tract etc. The nitrogen source can be organic or At the conclusion of the fermentation process, the organic oxygenated steroid 1s.recovered from the fermentation In general, the mineral requirements of the organism. l' m by extr-actlv'e methods and chromatographic tech' during the fermentation process are sufiiciently present mes later described in the crude natural sources of carbon or nitrogenor progress of a ferment-anon or t prsxlucis are present sufficiently in the water used in the process. gamed from a fermentanqn are Partially lfiennfiable Generally, however, it is advisable to suppleme t th chromato'gi'aphlc It P minerals normally Present by adding yeast extract, vitamin fi zz i g steroids as standards and extracts and inorganic cations and anions mgr? Ion wit nown' I? dlfferem steroids can be -1dent1fied by the1r.pos1t1on on the chro- Varrous formulations comprlsing media WhlCh have matographic'strips. been found useful in supporting growth of the organisms Although wehave found] that organisms oflthef or are as follows: der Mycelia-Sterilia and especially of the genera Rhizoc Whi .3 3; larq iun PF d gry en fiqn i more at h e P sit n? sa urat 41- -2 an C7 e have found that certain i e s .under particular condi in s rsd ce a pt d anaanss f m at t most f hesry gat rl Pratt-9 F r example, W have found that Rhigpctqniq ferrngenn (A.T.C .C. 1324.6T) preferentially converts Compound S int-o l-hydroxy Corn: pound S and ZB-hyrlroxy Compound 8 with only trace quantities of ll-exygenation taking place. .On the other hand, Rhizoctonia solani from Gossypium sp. C.B. S. (also A.T.C.C. 1325GT.) Medium I described heretofore, transforms Compound S principally into l-hydroxy Compound R hizoctoniq solani from Citrus p. C.B .S. (also A.T.C.C. 13249T) Rhizoctonia so lani var. ,lycopersici C.B. S. do similarly. We have found that we can preferentially produce a predominance of a 2n hydroxylproduct by using Rhizoctonia sp. from Iriticum .vu lgaris C435. (also A .T.C.C. 132451). For ll-oxygenation we prefer to use Rhizoctonia 2573; Sclerorium rolfsii A.T.C .C. 12450 produces practically equivalent quantities of l-hydroxylated and lla-hydroxyle a-ted products.

Although one cannot predict with certainty just exactly what position will be oxygenated to the greatest extent, i.e. which of the 1-, 2- or ll-positions are more susceptible to oxygenation by a particular species n1 strain, it will be apparent from the examples and from .thepresent state of the art that simple paper chromatographic analysis readily affords one with identifying data. Wherein we have indicated above that 2-hydroxylation occurs preferably, we do not infer that no hydroxylation occurs at l or 11, these hydroxylations also occur, but to a lesser degree. i v

As stated heretofore, a convenient method for analysis for the oxygenated steroid products and the separatign of these products in purified form is the method of celumn chromatography using various adsorbents. Although a variety of adsorbents may be used, such as the various aluminas, silica gels and the like, we prefer especially to. treat silicic acid so as to obtain a more active adsorbent and one which will permit greater ease in partition of components. We prepare our adsorbent as follows: Mallinckrodt silicic acid batch No. 2847 is activated by washing same twice with equal volumes of acetone and is dried preferably under a heating lamp. For a higher degree of activity, the silicic acid is first washed with an acetone-ether (3:1) solution and then dried. The chromatographic column is prepared by agitating the silicic acid with anhydrous, alcohol-free chloroform and pouring the mixture into a glass column so designed to produce a silicic acid bed at least twice as high as its diameter. Since a given quantity of adsorbent can only adsorb a finite quantity of steroid, we have found that for a 3 g. mixture of steroids, 15 g ofsilicic acid produces a very adequate column.

The adsorbent is thoroughly agitated to insure removal of suspended air bubbles and to produce a fine dispersion. The excess diluent is drained from the column and the sample steroid mixture is applied in chloroform solution. The sample steroid mixtures are obtained from solvent extraction of the fermentation broths and followed by evaporation in vacuo leaving a residue consisting of the mixed steroid products. The residue is thoroughly dried over phosphorous pentoxide in vacuo and is dissolved in anhydrous alcohol-free chloroform. The solutions are filtered to remove insoluble contaminants and then applied directly to the column of silicic acid. The volume of chloroform used to solubilize the steroid residue does not appear to be critical.

In view of the fact that the silicic acid column, prior to adsorption of the steroid substrate, has a transparent l s A 'e a pearance, the progress of adsorptien and ut" y followed. The adsorption of steroids '6 ha am ela t e o a u and n be bs ved during its passage through the transparent column bed.

The development of the column may be made by a gradient elution technic whereby chloroform and the chloroform solutions possessing increasing quantities of absolute methanol are passed through the silicic acid bed. Otherwise, the column may be developed by passage of chloroform and methanol in chloroform solutions over .the silicic acid bed wherein the changes in methanol concentration are made manually.

In general, with chloroform development, the most lipophilic or non-polar steroids are eluted first with the more polar steroids being eluted .by solutions containing the increased quantities of methanol.

The following examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended as .a limitation of this invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that here are mo e el fi r nt m bq m n o t p esent invention of which the following examples are but a few. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is only limited as defined in the appended claims.

In the fermentation methods described below, it is understood that sterile conditions are maintained with the various media being first sterilized by usual methods such as autoclaving prior to growth of the organism and that all transfers are made under aseptic conditions.

EXAMPLE 1 Conversion of Compound S to I-hydroxyS and fi-hy o y S A culture of Rhizoctonia ferrugena C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C. 13246T) having been first grown on a Sabouraud dextrose agar slant was cultivated by adding a distilled water suspension of the organism to 50 ml. of

sterile Medium No. 1 contained in each of fifteenZSO ml. shake flasks. The shaking process was carried out on a rotary shaker, having a diameter of rotation of two inches and operated at 280 ,r.p.m. The organism was permitted to grow during this first stage for a period of 7 days at a temperature of 23-28 C. After the growth period the contents of the flasks were pooled and homogenized in a previously sterilized Waring Blendor. 50 ml. of the homogenized mycelium were added to each of fifteen 2 I. shake flasks, each containing 400 ml. of Medium No. 1 with the entire operation being carried out under aseptic conditions. The culture was incubated for an additional forty-eight hours after which time 200 mg. of Compound S in 4 ml. of ethanol were added to each flask and fermentation on the rotary shaker was carried out at 23 for five days. After the fermentation period, the contents of the flasks were pooled and the my'celium was separated from the liquid portion and then washed with distilled water. The mycelium and the liquid portion were separately extracted with chloroform followed by chloroform-methanol (4:1). The extracts were combined and concentrated to dryness in vacuo at temperatures not exceeding room temperature. The residue was taken up in anhydrous alcohol-free chloroform and the resultant solution was chromatographed on a silicic acid adsorption column described above. A methanol-chloroform gradient elution according to the procedure of Lakshmanan et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 53: 258 1954 was followed to separate the two steroidal transformation products and residual substrates. Starting material was collected in the first fractions, a conipoundlater identified as 2fl-hydroxy Compound S in the middle .fractions and a compound later identified as l-hydroxy Compound in the last fractions. Homogeneity of each group of eluates was indicated by paper chromatography according to technics welhknownin the art. Crystallization of the middle fractions from chloroform-ether yielded 34 mg. of 2B-hydroxy S (4- pregnene-2p,17 ,21- triol-3,20-dione), MlP. 214-220 C. dec. Further recrys- 7 222 dec. A sample for analytical purposes was recrystallized many times from acetone-hexane and had a M.P. of 225.5-228 dec., [a] 58 (dioxane), age 243 mp (e=14,500), 39 3.01 (OH), 5.81,. 20-

carbonyl), 5.94;]. (3-carbonyl), 6.18 (A forms is markedly different from either the 6 6, 11a, 11p,

1511 or ISfl-hydroxy derivatives of Compound S.

Carbon and hydrogen analyses were within the limits of experimental error. Upon reaction with acetic anhydride and pyridine, the 2,21-diacetate was obtained, M.P. 2l8-219, [oc] +9 (dioxane),

t\'uiul x333 244 m (e=16,200), 2.73, 2.83, 2.97, 5.71, 5.78, 5.95, 5.15, 8.06 and 8.25,.

The structure of the substance was determined on the basis of the following: The appearance of the conjugated carbonyl band at 5.94 1. is indicative of a hydrogen bond interaction between the 3-carbonyl and a hydroxyl group on an adjacent carbon atom. This is substantiated by the observed interaction of the neighboring acetate of the diacetate as well. Carbon atom number 4 is ex- A eluded as a site for the hydroxyl group by virtue of the observed ultra-violet absorption maximum, since enols of a,,9-diketones absorb in the region of 280 m Measurement of the U.V. absorption in alkaline solution, according to Meyer, J. Org. Chem. 1240 (1955), after heating at 60 for 4 hours, afforded a U.V. absorption curve which corresponds exactly in location of maxima 'with the highly characteristic curve resulting from 2sthydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione. The Z-hydroxylated product of this fermentation differs from the known 2oa-hydroxy S whose constants are M.P. 21922l, [a] +13(). Similarly, the diacetate of the hydroxy compound differs from the 2,21-diacetate of 2a-hydroxy Compound S whose constants are [041 +122 (chloroform), M.P. ZOO-202, 2l5127 (polymorphs). Since it is known that a ZB-hydroxyl equilibrates with a 2a-hydroxyl group in mild alkaline solution according to Sondheimer et al., J.A.C.S. 75: 4712 (1953), it is obvious that the same alkaline ultra-violet spectrum must result for both configurations in a given pair of 2-hy- 'dr'oxy-3-keto-A steroids. Thus, the middle fraction steroid must contain the ZB-hydroxyl group.

Further corroboration is found in the fact thatthe predicted shift in molecular rotation (AM-681) based upon the findings of Sondheimer et al. with the only Zfi-hydroxy-3-keto-A -sterold heretofore known, 2,6-hydroxytestosterone-Z,l7-diacetate, is in reasonable agreement with the observed values of the shift for the 21- acetate of Compound S vs. the diacetate obtained above (AM-500). Finally, since Sondheimer et al. have shown 'that hydroxyl groups at the 2- or 6-positions in S-keto- A -steroids can be removed reductively by mild treatment with zinc and acetic acid, we carried out such treatment upon our diacetate converting same into Compound S 2l-acetate which was indistinguishable in the infrared from an authentic sample.

The crystallization of the last group of fractions isolated from the fermentation mixture afforded 55 mg. of crystalline material M.P. 180-200 C. dec. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane without application of heat raised the melting point to 193-207 C. dec. (with a :transition occurring at about 170). The following physical characteristics were observed [711 +89 (dioxane) (corrected for acetone of solvation) ALE? 241 m (e=l6,500, corrected for acetone of solv vation), A22 2.83, 5.81, 6.04, 6.18 7.

8 (one additional polymorphic variety has been observed). Analysis.-Calcd for C H O .C H O: C, 68.54; H, 8.63. Found: C, 68.41; H, 8.66.

The identity of the foregoing substance was established as l-hydroxy S according to the following: Integration of the hydroxyl bands of the infrared spectrum confirmed the presence of three hydroxyl groups. Measurement of the U.V. spectrum in alkaline solution according to the methods of Meyer, loc. cit., showed a shift in the maximum from 241 m to 245 mp; however, no peak appeared in the 380 mp. region after two hours at 60. This is consistent with the conversion of a l-hy droxy-3-keto-A -steroid into a A -diene-3-ketosteroid, which transformation would be expected to occur under such conditions. Furthermore, the U.V. spectrum in alkaline solution was markedly different from that of a 2- hydroxy-3-keto-A -steroid. The presence of the 3-keto- A -diene system from the alkaline treatment was substantiated by the measurement of the polarographic reduction potential of the solution, according to Kabasakalian et al., Anal. Chem. 28: 1669 (1956). The observed shift in half-wave potential from 1.46 volts (before alkaline treatment) to 1.31 volts (after alkaline treatment), a shift of .15 volt, corresponds well to the shifts observed for cortisone vs. prednisone (0.16 volt) and cortisol vs. prednisolone (0.17 volt). Furthermore, a sample of the purified crystalline solid, obtained from the last group of eluates, upon pyrolysis at the melting point for ten minutes yielded a mixture of products whose infrared spectrum contained the characteristic 'A -diene-3-one bands. 7 1

As final proof, a solution of the crystals of the last fraction of the eluates in chloroform was treated at room temperature with a trace amount of concentrated hydrochloric acid for two hours. Upon concentration in vacuo and recrystallization from acetone-hexane there was obtained 1,4-pregna'diene 1711,21 diol-3,20-dione, M.P. 237-240 C. whose M.P. and infrared spectrum were identical with that of an authentic sample.

From the foregoing, it is concluded that the substance obtained was l-hydroxy Compound S with the configuration of the l-hydroxyl group as yet unknown.

EXAMPLE 2 Further transformations with Rhizoctonia ferrugena on various substrates Parts Toluene 9 Ethyl acetate 1 Methanol S Distilled water 5 The adsorbent papers were first wetted in a aqueous acetone mixture prior to development. In all cases, two major products were observed as in the case of papergram analysis in Example 1. In the case of the testosterone experiment, the less polar spot was identical in migratory rate with that produced by a standard of known Zfl-hydroxy testosterone.

Each of the fermentation runs were processed according to Example 1 and chromatographcd on a silicicacid column. Identification of hydroxylation at the 1-, 25- positions was carried out according to the technics described in the preceding example.

9 EXAMPLE 3 IJ OxygemzIiQn, using Rhizoctonia sg. BAR-11L, 2573 Aculture of Rhizoctonia sp. N;R.R.L. 2573 was grown on Sabouraud dextrose. agar medium. A. suspension of the growth, obtained by washing: the surface. of. the agar slant with distilled. water, was: used; tq.inoculate a. sterile medium havingrthe composition-.ofyMediumz No. 1, as liereinabove defined; Thefirst stage'growth. period was. carried out in shake flasks for 64 hours at 28 C. Aseptic transfers were then made to. two, fermentation flasks containing the same growth; medium. and after 48: hours of growth, 251i mgtofiCompound Srim :75: ml. of 80% ethanolwere added to each flask. The .rnixtures were. shaken for 2 days during whichti'me steroid trans: formation was permitted to take place. At: the. end of the fermentation, 6 ml. of methylisobutylv ketone were added to each flask and. the extracts were; prepared by shaking the entire contents for 30 minutes. Samples of the extracts were spotted on Whatman No. 4. filter paper and the sheets were chromatographedin a solvent system described in Example 2. Two. major products were observed which were identical chromatographically withspots produced by standards prepared from. hydrocortisone and its ll'a-epimer. Two additional components were noted, one being more polar than hydrocortisone and the other less so, said components being identified as l-hydroxy Compound S and cortisone, respectively.

The experiment was repeated using the same culture of Rhizoctonia and the same media. 50 ml. of the inoculum obtained from thefirst stage growth were added to each of ten 2 liter flasks each containing. 400- ml. of Mediumv No. 1'. The flasks and contents were shaken on a reciprocating shaker at 72 strokes per minute, at 28 C. for 48 hours, after which time 200 mg. of Compound S in 4 ml. of 80% ethanol were added to each flask. Samples taken after 20 hours of fermentation showed transformation into four products identifiable on paper chromatograms employing the toluene-ethyl acetatemethanol-water system. After a total fermentation time of 24 hours, the contents of the flasks were pooled and extracted with two liters of chloroform. The extraction was repeated four additional times with one liter of chloroform per extraction. The pooled extracts were washed with one-half volume of 2% sodium bicarbonate solution, then with one-half volume of distilled water and finally concentrated to a residue in vacuo. Separation of the products in the residue Waseffected by adsorption on a silicic acid column using chloroform and chloroform-methanol solutions as eluates as described in Example 1. The crystals obtained from each fraction of eluate were identified by melting point, ultraviolet, infratilled water mL, or soybean meal 15, g... glucose 1.0: g...

soybean oil 2.2 g., calcium carbonate 2.5. g., distilled; water q.s. to 1 liter.

By; substituting Rhizoctonia solani from B. cauliflqm, C;B.S. (also A.T.C .C 13248T), there was obtained sing: ilar products; like results were obtained with Sclero tium, oryzae var. irregularis. Otherspecies of Rhizoctonia, especiallysolani A.T.C.C. 10154, 10157, 10187, muneratii (3.8.8; (also A.T.C.C. 132.47T) and Sclerotium ro'lfsii A.T.C.C. 1245 0. cultivated in a manner similar to that described above produced predominantly ll-epi-hydro: cortisone and l-hydroxy Compound S when Compound S was employed as. substrate. By substituting testosterone orprogesterone or desoxycorticosterone, there was obtained predominantly-the respective l-hydroxy and 1104-, hydroxy derivatives with traces of l'lp-hydroxy and 11- ketosubstitution occurring.

EXAMPLE 4 Fermentation producing predominantly I-hydroxylation By cultivating Rhizoctonia solani from gossypiurn sp. C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C. 1325GT) in Medium No. l, as de.. scribed in Example 3 and using Compound S as sub: strate, there was, obtained principally l-hydroxy Compound S identified paper chromatographically and by col: umn separation as described in the preceding example.

Similar results were obtained with Rhizoctonia solani from citrus sp. C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C. 13249T). Rhizoctonia solani var, lycopersici C.B.S. produced predorni nantly l-hydroxylation as indicated by paper chromatogram analysis.

The following table shows various transformations which have been effected upon different substrates with the products identified either by known paper chromato: graphic technics or by procedures heretofore described. The organisms referred to in the table by number are identified as follows:

(1) R. ferrugena C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C. 1324GT) (2) R. solani from Gossypium sp. C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C.

(3) R. solani from citrus sp.-C.B.S. (also A.T.C.C.

vulgaris C.B.S. (also POSITION 0F ADDED OXYGEN FUNCTION IN MAIN PRODUGT(S) Substrate Organism Compound S Oortlsone Cortisoue acetate Hydrocortisoue. Testosterone 9a-Fluorohydrocortisone 4-Pregneue-11a, 17a, 21-trio1-3,

ZO-dione. Progesterone 1, 4-Pregadiene17a, 21-dio1-3, 20-

dlone G-MQthyIOompoundF 1 lfia-Hydroxyhydrocortisone red adsorption spectra and comparison with authenic samples as being hydrocortisone, 4-pregnene-11a,l7a,21- triol-3,20-dione, cortisone, and l-hydroxy Compounds S. In similar manner, fermentations were carried out in other media such as yeast extract 17 As stated heretofore, our processes are applicable to the oxygenation of steroids in general, provided said steroids are devoid of substituents other than hydrogen at one or more of positions 1, 2 or 11, although we pref containing 3-keto-del 1 1 since such system is commonly present in most therapeutically active steroids. This structural restriction is not mandatory. Our process works equally well with compounds such as pregnenolonc, l 6-dehydropregnenolone, dihydroprogesterone, dihydrocortisone, and the like. 1

The operating examples described above solely for purposes of simplicity have been limited to the use of free sterols as substrates. This is not to be construed as a mandatory limitation, for one can equally well employ esters, ethers and ketol derivatives of the various substrates in the oxygenation process. For example, in place of Compound S there may be employed Compound S 2l-acetate, in place of cortisone or hydrocortisone, there may be employed likewise their respective 21 esters. The esters which may be employed as substrates are not limited necessarily to lower alkanoyl esters, but may be any alkyl residue which is non-toxic to the organism such as acetates, propiona-tes, cyclopentylpropionates, furoates, phenoxyacetates, tertiary-butylacetates, hemisuccinates, phosphates, and the like.

Conversely, when an unesterified steroid is applied as substrate, it may be transformed into any one of the foregoing esters which are useful therapeutically and well-known in the art, such as reacting the steroid with an acylating agent such as an acid anhydride or halide in the presence of an acid acceptor such as pyridine or other tertiary bases.

As stated heretofore, the steroids so obtained by our process, are either therapeutically active per se or are useful intermediates in the preparation of therapeutically active substances according to transformations wellknown in the art. The further oxygenated analogs obtained from our processes are also useful as wetting agents due to their plurality of hydroxyl groups. They thus may be employed in the formation and maintenance of stable emulsions.

We claim:

1. A process for the oxygenation of steroids, which comprises dispersing a steroid, containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of l-methylene, Z-methylene, and ll-methylerie groups, in an aqueous nutrient medium containing assimilable nitrogen and carbohydrate, and subjecting such dispersed steriod to the oxygenating action produced by growing a species of fungus selected from the group consisting of the genera Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium in said medium under agitated aerobic fermentation conditions, so as to introduce an oxygen function which, when said oxygen function is OH, is introduced into at least one of the positions selected from the group consisting of the 1, 2 3, and 11a and 11,6 positions, and when said oxygen function is =0, then at the 11 position, and isolating the thus produced further oxygenated product.

a 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the fungus is of the genus Rhizoctonia.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the fungus is of the genus Sclerotium.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the oxygenated product having the same number of carbon atoms in the carbon to carbon skeleton of the starting steroid is recovered by solvent extraction.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the starting steroid has a two carbon side chain at the seventeen position.

6. A process for the introduction of oxygen into a steroid, which comprises contacting a steroid substrate consisting essentially of steroid, under aerobic fermen tation conditions, with the oxygenating activity of a species of fungus selected from the group consisting of the genera Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium to produce an oxygenated steroid, in-which the carbon-to-carbon skeleton of the resulting oxygenated steriod is the same as to the .number and arrangement of carbon atoms as the carbonto-carbon skeleton of the starting steroid, so as to intro 1'2 duce an oxygen function which, when said oxygen function is OH, is introduced at at least one of the positions selected from the group consisting of the 1, 2B, and 11m and positions, and when said oxygen function is =0, then at the 11 position.

7. A process for the introduction of oxygen into a steroid, which comprises aerobically contacting a steroid having a methylene group, with a growing fungus selected from the group consisting of the genera Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium, in the presence of an aqueous nutrient medium comprising assimilable nitrogen and carbohydrate, so as to introduce an oxygen function which, when said oxygen function is OH, is introduced at at least one of the positions selected from the group consisting of the 1, 2B, and 11a and llfl positions, and when said oxygen function is =0, then at thell position, and separating the resulting oxygenated steriod.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the fungus is of the genus Rhizoctonia.

9. The process of claim 7, wherein the fungus is of the genus Sclerotium.

10. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid contains up to and including 22 carbon atoms in .the carbon to carbon skeleton.

11. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steriod is a 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione.

12. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid is Reichsteins Compound S.

13. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steriod is cortisone.

14. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid is hydrocortisone.

15. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid is l,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol-3,20-dione.

16. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid is progesterone.

17. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid is testosterone.

18. The process of claim 7, wherein the starting steroid is corticosterone.

19. A process comprising'dispersing a steroid having a two carbon atom side chain at the seventeen position and at least one member selected from the group consisting of l-methylene, 2-methylene and ll-methylene groups, in an aqueous nutrient medium containing assimilable nitrogen and carbohydrate, growing a species of fungus selected from the group consisting of Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium in said medium under agitated aerobic fermentation conditions so as to introduce an. oxygen function which, when said oxygen function is OH, is introduced at at least one of the positions selected from the group consisting of the 1, 2,3, and 11a and 11p positions, and when said oxygen function is :0, then at the 11 position, and isolating the thus produced further oxygenated product.

20. The process in accordance with claim 1, in which said oxygen function is an hydroxyl group.

21. The process in accordance with claim 1, in which said oxygen function is a keto group and is introduced at the 11 position in the steroid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,649,400 Murray et a1 Aug. 18, 1953 2,649,402 Murray et al Aug. 18, 1953 2,658,023 Shull et al. Nov. 3, 1953 2,793,163 Thoma et al. May 31, 1957 2,802,775 Dulaney et a1 Aug. 13, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES Reese et al.: Quartermaster Culture Collection, Far lowia, December 1950, page 46. 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE OXYGENATION OF STEROIDS, WHICH COMPRISES DISPERSING A STERIOD, CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF 1-METHYLENE, 2-METHYLENE, AND 11-METHYLENE GROUPS, IN AN AQUEOUS NUTRIENT MEDIUM CONTAINING ASSIMILABLE NITROGEN AND CARBOHYDRATE,A ND SUBJECTING SUCH DISPERSED STERIOD TO THE OXYGENATING ACTION PRODUCED BY GROWING A SPECIES OF FUNGUS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THE GENERA RHIZOCTONIA AND SCLEROTIUM IN SAID MEDIUM UNDER AGITATED AEROBIC FERMENTATION CONDITIONS, SO AS TO INTRODUCE AN OXYGEN FUNCTION WHICH, WHEN SAID OXYGEN FUNCTION IS -OH, IS INTRODUCED INTO AT LEAST ONE OF THE POSITIONS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THE 1, 2B, AND 11A AND 11B POSITIONS, AND WHEN SAID OXYGEN FUNCTION IS =O, THEN AT THE 11 POSITION, AND ISOLATING THE THUS PRODUCED FURTHER OXYGENATED PRODUCT. 